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During November 2024, English number 10 Ford cut a dejected figure during the match.

Ford had been summoned off the sidelines to support the hosts close out a famous win facing the Kiwis, yet failed to convert a crucial penalty along with a drop-kick while his team fell short in a close contest.

After those expensive errors, the player was required to strive to secure another chance to achieve success for England.

He played only 25 minutes in the recent Six Nations but a string of excellent displays, notably in the summer matches against Argentina and the USA while Fin Smith and Marcus Smith had departed for British and Irish Lions duty, put him firmly back in the starting mix.

At 32 years old fully validated the coach's trust through his selection facing the Kiwis, and the Sharks star delivered a player-of-the-match performance to help the home team to their initial victory over New Zealand at home for the first time since 2012.

The pivotal moment came when Ford nailed two drop-goals in succession right before half-time.

This assisted England bounce back from being down 12-0 to reduce the margin to 12-11 when the half ended, ahead of the manager's skilled reserves again delivered during the final period to assist the team to a convincing 33-19 victory.

"Credit must be given to the experienced players on our squad, notably George," the manager commented. "In that moment where he hit those drop-kicks, he managed the game absolutely brilliantly.

"One year earlier I thought George substituted and competed very effectively [versus the All Blacks].

"A kick hit the post and he had a difficult drop-goal, however his play was outstanding.

"He is a phenomenal leader, an outstanding athlete and an even better person. We are honored to include him within our roster."

Drop-goals 'always in the plan'

New Zealand commenced strongly in the stadium, surging to a substantial early margin through scores from Fainga'anuku and Taylor.

After Lawrence's powerful finish, Ford's consecutive drop-kicks meant the hosts returned to the changing rooms with the momentum.

"The difficult aspect in those moments occurs as the display indicates twelve to zero, we must maintain to our plan and what we believe the superior method to perform is," Ford explained.

"We fought our way back into it and we understood should we begin the final period strongly, with the bench coming on, we would be in a favorable situation.

"Even with fifteen minutes to go, we found ourselves defending our goal line following a card, thus we encountered obstacles there as well.

"I believe this illustrates Test rugby is - which team can handle during those situations superiorly."

Both kicks happened within a two-minute span while the number 10 who successfully converted three drop-kicks during a victory facing the Argentine team at the 2023 Rugby World Cup, displayed his complete international experience.

Ford hit two drop-goals for Sale in a Prem game played in difficult conditions against Bath - this demonstrates a talent he has mastered thoroughly.

"These attempts are consistently planned," Ford stated further.

"Steve is such a phenomenal leader since he continually in my ear about it, and rightly so because three points prove important throughout the match of play."

Ford guided his side brilliantly throughout the match all game, making smart decisions - both to compete and in finding space behind the visitors' backfield.

His signature 'spiral bomb' also bamboozled the opposing fullback, who failed to regather.

Following his start in the national team's triumph versus the Wallabies during the autumn series, Ford relinquished the starting role to the younger Smith against Fiji seven days later.

But the biggest test on paper this autumn came against the experienced New Zealand team, so Ford returned to his position.

The English team, currently enjoying 10 straight wins, play against Argentina on 23 November and curiosity remains to learn if the manager opts to Fin Smith or maintains Ford.

Regardless of the selection, Ford established two years away from a World Cup that ample opportunity of rugby left within him.